Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
Presenting more sports pageantry while hoping to avoid any Miss USA-like pratfalls (back to back tumbles by the American beauties? What, we can’t find one that can walk and smile at the same time?):
The real beauty of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game is normally in the ceremonies that take place before the actual first pitch is thrown. Perhaps I’m just turning into an old fuddy-duddy, but the game itself has really lost its luster since some of those classic battles of my 70’s childhood. This year, I can’t even get excited about the pre-game spectacle. Celebrate Yankee Stadium? Hah! I wouldn’t shed a tear if they blew the damn thing up as part of the festivities! (And to think, I’m a lot less bitter since 2004 happened. Really, I am. Ask my therapist)
Speaking of stadium situations, I wish these Spinners lease negotiations would take place where they belong…behind closed doors. We all know a deal is going to get done. It’s a win-win for both sides, unless one side or the other is interested in killing the golden goose. But while we hear an awful lot about the riches Drew Weber and company have amassed since beginning play at LeLacheur Park, we haven’t heard as much about the money Lowell’s Single-A entry has poured into facility upgrades, upgrades for a building they don’t own but others benefit from. A couple of examples:
The new clubhouse and existing clubhouse improvements completed before the start of the 2008 season cost the Spinners six-figures out of pocket. And when I say six figures, I’m not talking just clearing the hurdle…the first of the six numbers was a lot closer to two than one.
Remember those handicap improvements necessitated by a lawsuit brought against the team, the city and the architect? The Spinners had to pitch in on those. That newly spruced up field surface high school and college teams also get to play on? Yup, that’s a regular Spinners expense. And that fancy video board in the outfield, the one the kids from Lowell and Chelmsford High were watching Jon Lester’s no-hitter on after their Spinners World Series games? You guessed it.
The point isn’t to take one side over the other. It’s to illustrate that we’re all on the same side here. The Spinners greatly benefit from Lowell and the Merrimack Valley. Lowell and the Merrimack Valley greatly benefit from the Spinners. Both parties are no doubt aware of this and will get a deal done in short order, one that’s fair to all. In the meantime, let’s enjoy seeing the next generation of Red Sox in action right here in our own backyard.
Patriots training camp opens in a week and a half. Two things I’ll be watching for: the team’s psyche after losing the only game that matters in a one-loss season. The other item of interest on this end is the backup Quarterback battle. Something tells me Matt Cassel has taken his last snap in a Flying Elvis helmet. Not that he took that many to begin with.
Maybe Brett “I need to further destroy my legacy before moving on” Favre is willing to fill the void. The way I see it, it’s the interception machine’s best chance at winning another Super Bowl ring.
That’s how I see things…how do you see them?
I agree that the spinners have done alot for the great city of lowell, but we have to admit that they suck. It is painful to have to sit through a spinners game. Not as bad as the lockmonsters but horrible none the less. If you can't make it to fenway then you should not be watching baseball games live. It just isn't worth it. If we really want to do something good for the city, then lets tear down the park and build a shopping mall or maybe an aquarium or something like that. That would bring people into the city.
Looey.
Do you enjoy watching Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, or Kevin Youkilis when you watch games at Fenway? How about being able to watch Hanley Ramirez at the All Star Game last night (along with Youk and Papelbon?) If so then you'd understand that the purpose of the Spinners is NOT to win baseball games (although some teams in the NY-P league do seem to have that as a higher priority) but to develop talented players and I think the Spinners have a pretty darned good track record of that. Maybe to you it's not worth it to watch minor league ball but there are millions in the country (and 5000 a night in Lowell) who beg to differ. I may disagree with some of the corny in-game promotions, the seemingly endless number of bobblehead nights, etc but I cannot argue that the Spinners but on a pretty good show for the price.
Most of these kids were playing in college just a couple of months ago and never played in front of more than a handful of people- now they play in front of 5000 so, yes, the baseball is not going to be of major league caliber. I don't think too many of the patrons mind, however. Anyone who does should cut these kids a little slack.